Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Education)

Course Overview

The programme is aimed at Master’s degree prepared nurse graduates who wish to gain a teaching qualification. Broadly the programme develops nurses' expertise and understanding of teaching in higher education clinical settings.

The programme is comprised of three taught modules and three competency assessments. To support learners' skill development, students are expected to complete 100 hours of teaching/facilitation during the programme. Learners are also expected to gain expertise in a wide range of teaching methods including lecturing, clinical teaching in both laboratory and clinical settings, and working with small groups using experimental approaches.

Special features
The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills. The programme is offered through a blended learning format—a combination of online and face-to-face learning and teaching. Blended learning is an innovative and flexible approach to learning making it possible to combine working full-time with studying.

All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

1. Have successfully completed a master’s degree in Nursing or its equivalent (Level 9).
2. Be a registered General, Mental Health, Learning Disability, Children’s or a Registered Public Health Nurse on the Register maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
3. Have practiced as a nurse for a minimum of three years post registration (exclusive of post-registration/educational programmes) and this experience should be in clinical areas where students’ nurses are undertaking placements.
4. Have negotiated a Teaching placement in a third level School/Department of Nursing Education or Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education establishment which will provide the opportunity to meet the teaching practice requirements of this programme.

Graduates of this programme of study have found employment in various health service settings, third-level institutions of education, Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Education, Nursing Midwifery Practice Development Units and the private sector.